Multifunction Disinfection Drone Apparatus and Method
An autonomous drone operated remotely via wireless networks is instructed by its owner flying about in an unoccupied room to activate a system of selectable air and surface disinfection modules. An air purifier captures particles in ambient air and switches on an oscillating motion tubular shaped cage mounted with a plurality of Ultraviolet C spectrum, long range zoom and focusable lens LED projectors to disinfect virus and bacteria. A fan assisted forced air Ozone generator module speeds up disinfecting inconspicuous spots to destroy hidden viruses. Disinfection is completed after the half-life time of dispensed Ozone and an oxygen recovery module rapidly converts residual ozone still in air back to normal oxygen molecules enabling a shortened waiting time for occupants to return to the treated room. A negative ions module subsequently switches on to refresh the air.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application 63/100,701 filed Mar. 26 2020 by Simon Siu-Chi Yu and also claims benefit to Provisional application No. 63/101,110 filed Apr. 18 2020, both titled ‘Multi Function Disinfection Drone Apparatus and Method’ each incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConsumer grade home use UV virus disinfection devices are generally for arms length, close distance application. They are ineffective for disinfecting an average size bedroom due to UV attenuates following the inverse-square-law. That is the effectiveness or intensity of the disinfection changes in inverse proportion to the square of the distance from the source.
Commercial grade institutional UV virus disinfection machines employing high power Mercury arc lamps or pulsed Xenon arc lamps are very expensive and these types of devices rely on reflected lights bounced from walls and ceiling. The pulsed Xenon noises irritate people and some people can't tolerate flashing lights. Their output power attenuation also follows the inverse-square-law. All occupants are ordered to vacate the area to be treated with this technology.
Automated mobile ultraviolet light devices that continuously emit UV-C in the range of 254 nm can be placed in patient rooms after patient discharge and terminal cleaning has been performed. A number of these devices can be set to kill vegetative bacteria or to kill spores. These systems often reduce the VRE and MRSA by four or more log 10, and C. difficile by 1-3 log 10. In one comparative trial, a continuous UV-C light system resulted in lower log reductions than a micro-condensation hydrogen peroxide vapor system. Advantages of the mobile, continuous UV-C light devices include their ease of use, minimal need for special training of environmental services personnel, and unlike hydrogen peroxide vapor systems, the ability to utilize the devices without having to seal room vents or doors. Recently, a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing a mobile continuous UV-C light system with standard and other enhanced surface disinfection methods has been completed. Results of the trial should be published in the near future.
A pulsed-xenon device, which does not use mercury bulbs to produce UV light, emits light in the 200-320 nm range. It has been shown to significantly reduce pathogens in patient rooms. The manufacturer recommends placing device in 3 locations in a room with 5-7 min cycles (shorter than with some continuous UV-C systems). While a few studies utilizing the device reported reductions in C. difficile infection, a more recent 8-month study in a large institution found no significant reduction in C. difficile infection rates hospital-wide or on four units with high C. difficile infection rates. One carefully-performed trial which compared the pulsed-xenon system with a continuous UV-C light device found that log 10 reductions of pathogens achieved with the pulsed-xenon system were lower than with the continuous UV-C light device. Additional evaluation of the pulsed-xenon UV system by independent investigators is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe UAVD (unmanned aerial vehicle drone) includes a control and communications module comprising an electronic central processing unit (CPU), a wireless communication unit, an electronic camera and audio A/V unit and a bus configured to interconnect all drone modules. The UAVD further includes a navigation module comprising a set of 360 degree obstacle avoidance sensors and positioning unit (GPS) configured to autonomously direct the drone to avoid obstacles while in flight.
The disinfection drone is self sufficiently equipped with batteries for its own propeller motor and dedicated power for its accessories. The drone has adapter brackets to accept a cartridge comprising various modules for various purposes. The removable and configurable modular cartridges comprise a front-end Ultraviolet C spectrum LED light module to disinfect incoming polluted air and to excite the Titanium Oxide coated particle catch plates.
The removable and configurable modular cartridge comprises a set of Titanium Oxide coated electrostatic charged plates in a module to convert bacteria to harmless gas through a photocatalysis reaction. Disinfecting is safe when occupants are present in the area because photocatalysis does not contain UV or ozone. The removable and configurable modular cartridges comprise a set of negative ion emitter modules to refreshing air. The removable and configurable modular cartridges comprise a rear-end Oxygen recovery Ultraviolet C spectrum LED light module to rapidly convert ozone to normal oxygen molecules.
The disinfection drone comprises a set of high voltage charged screens in a module to electrocute flying insects. The drone comprises a set of Ozone generators module to disinfect inconspicuous spots which are infected with viruses and to destroy agricultural pests and control algae growth. The (346 pm) Pico meter ozone penetrates the pest's body and causes plugging in their respiratory organs. The module further comprises an oxygen tank to boost concentration and production of ozone. Another advantage of the Ozone generator module comprises a blower fan housing a set of ozone generator plates. Ozone is forced out by the fast spinning blower fan. The ozone generator module can be detached from the drone body and becomes a handheld disinfection sprayer with invisible ozone.
The drone further comprises a module, tubular shaped cage, mounted with a vacuum tube ultraviolet C spectrum projector to disinfect virus and bacteria. The light irradiation from vacuum tube projectors are reflected and focused with reflectors aimed at infected targets. The drone further comprises a module, tubular shaped cage, mounted with a solid state semiconductor ultraviolet C spectrum projector in coherent and non-coherent irradiation to disinfect virus and bacteria over long range. The non-coherent LED light is focused with adjustable focal lenses.
The coherent Laser diode is focusable with an external focal lens for extended distance. The disclosure disinfects viruses, bacteria, mold, agricultural pests and controls algae growth without chemical spray. The disclosure disinfects the entire room from floor to ceiling with minimum blind spots for applications in a very tight spaces for users who don't have trained skills in flying a drone.
The disclosure further comprises an autonomous mobile robot in addition to the disclosed drone systems. The autonomous mobile robot combines a telescopic screw drive tension pole, temporally fixed on a floor with a ceiling tension spring. A screw drive carriage carries the drone as it flies around governed by a screw thread moving up or down with the drone's propeller vector forces. The room is therefore swept with UV irradiate from floor to ceiling.
The autonomous mobile robot plus drone systems are employed for Upper-Room germicidal UV-C airborne virus disinfection. The autonomous mobile robot combines a motorized screw drive shaft mounted on a motorized floor stand with wheels resting on the floor without ceiling support. A carriage connects the screw drive shaft thereto and the drone flies around governed by the screw thread moving up or down via the drone's propellers vector forces or with the motorized screw drive shaft rotation when the drone detects there are no occupants in the room. When the system detects occupants, the drone raises itself to a ceiling level which is above the occupant's head for continuously disinfecting with UV-C irradiation. The disclosure also includes human avoidance object and face detection to avoid its UV beams irradiating the occupants.
The disclosure further includes the removal of the ozone generator module from the drone becomes a handheld ozone sprayer operates by a worker to blast at the occupant, causing viruses dislodge for disinfection.
This disclosure is directed to using drones to disinfect airborne and surface virus, bacteria, mold, control algae growth and destroy agricultural pests. The disclosure is also used for non liquid and non chemical spray personal disinfection. The drone projects a plurality of tightly focused UV beams in a sweeping pattern along with up-down motions to effectively disinfect viruses in long range as well as at short ranges.
The disclosure solves the output attenuation issues of prior applications and devices since it is able to disinfect a large area without following the inverse-square-law. Occupants are also allowed in the area being treated due to an application of advanced technology in the disclosed multi-function disinfection system.
Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure herein.
Throughout the description, similar and same reference numbers may be used to identify similar and same elements in the several embodiments and drawings. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
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As described herein, the LED 144 is zooming and focusable, adjustable from wide beam coverage to narrow tight beam irradiation as shown in
The disclosure uses LED 144 or laser diode 244 to eliminate the physical inverse-square-law disadvantage. Returning to
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There are plurality of UV projectors 144 installed on the outer surface of tubular shaped cage module 140. The projectors 144 are electronically partitioned in addressable array configurations. The arrays communicate with the drone camera 20 to perform live object and face detection of human presence. A specific array which registered a human presence corresponding to camera 20 captures an image switched off accordingly to avoid the occupants being irradiated with UV-C beams 146 from the specific projectors 144 in the areas. The UV-C beams 146 in the arrays are human avoidant and pre-programmed for a sequence of actions for the cage module 140 to perform and are self directed to avoid occupants being irradiated.
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There are plurality of UV projectors 244 installed on the outer surface of tubular shaped cage module 240. The projectors 244 are electronically partitioned in an addressable array configuration. The arrays communicate with the drone camera 20 which performs live object and face detection of human presence. A specific array registers human presence that corresponds to camera 20 capturing an image switched off accordingly to avoid the occupants being irradiated with UV-C beams 246 from the specific projectors 244 in the areas. The UV-C beams 246 in the arrays are human avoidant and pre-programmed with a sequence of actions for the cage module 240 to perform and self direct to avoid occupants being irradiated.
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As it is gas, its able to seep into gaps and be very powerful to disinfecting viruses hidden in inconspicuous space. Naturally the sun irradiates a broad spectrum of UV light that creates ozone and restores ozone to normal oxygen molecules in the Stratosphere.
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The motorized floor stand 187 includes extendable legs for a taller screw drive shaft 180 to add stability. The screw drive shaft 180 can be driven by stepping motor 190 to rotate the shaft 180 shown in arrow 191. A ring nut 183 adjusts the height of the shaft to maximize the effectiveness of the system 500. The system 500 further includes a motor 196 to drive the floor stand 187 on wheels 189 autonomously as indicated by direction 195 via the drone 10 navigation system 20, 22, 23, 33, 34 and 35. A battery pack 197 provides power for the system 500. Utility power 192 is available for recharging the battery 197. Since the system 500 should operate in an unoccupied room, it also includes human avoidant features. A smart phone 193 is used to remote control the system 500 movements. Users can monitor the operation with FPV (First-Person View) via Wi-Fi from a smartphone.
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The forced air assisted ozone generator 90 can be detached from drone 10 for use as a portable disinfectant sprayer unlike the conventional liquid mist sprayer fogging with chemicals. The ozone generator 90 sprays ozone instead to disinfect viruses and can be used to spray high concentrations of ozone to destroy farm pests.
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Claims
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle drone (UAVD), comprising:
- at least one projector configured for an ultraviolet spectrum, collimated electromagnetic radiation and infectious disease disinfection to inactivate bacteria and virus via an optical lens and reflector producing a low divergence narrow angle energy beam directed to strike a target over a variable distance and a long-range;
- a detachable fan and ozone generator configured to force air and blast a disease infected area with a mixture of air and ozone for rapid disinfection, blast a person in a closed booth for isolated disinfection, blast a person for disinfection in an open-air setting and in an enclosed structure, blast ozone with an optional extra feed of pure oxygen to boost ozone concentration for destroying agricultural pests in farms;
- a control and communications module comprising an electronic central processing unit (CPU), a wireless communication unit and an electronic camera and an audio A/V unit;
- a navigation module comprising a set of 360 degree obstacle avoidance sensors and a positioning unit (GPS) configured to autonomously direct the drone to avoid obstacles while in flight;
- a bus configured to interconnect the projector and ozone generator, the control and communications module and the navigation module; and
- a modular cartridge in a removable and configurable relation to the UAVD and an electromechanical docking port for the modular cartridge with the drone, the modular cartridge therefore in electromechanical communication with the drone.
2. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises an ultraviolet vacuum tube gas-discharge lamp aided by a folded sheet reflector configured to direct a unidirectional light to improve the projector's efficacy.
3. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises an ultraviolet solid state semiconductor Light Emitting Diode (LED) configured to project a low divergence narrow angle beam aided by a variable focal length collimator and lens.
4. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises an ultraviolet solid state semiconductor laser diode (LD) configured to project a non-focus coherence wide beam for a close distance disinfection.
5. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises an ultraviolet solid state semiconductor laser diode (LD) configured to project a focused coherence narrow tight beam aided by a collimator and lens for a long range disinfection.
6. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the modular cartridge further comprises a variety of functional modules for specific application including a front-end UV light, titanium oxide coated electrostatic particle collector plates, negative ion emitters, rear-end rapid oxygen recovery UV light, wherein front-end UV light disinfects incoming air pulled in from spinning drone's propellers and irradiates the titanium oxide to effect photocatalysis reaction to disinfect airborne viruses, an array of rear-end ultraviolet light in wave length between 200 nm to 340 nm rapidly decomposing residual ozone which is exiting from the unmanned UAVD returning to normal oxygen molecule, two sections motorized ball bearing open center turntable with its upper section mounted to bottom of the modular cartridge and an adapter mounted with vibrator motor and a motorized flexible drive shaft to substitute the use of the turntable.
7. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, further comprising a hollow core tubular shaped cage module attached to a lower section of motorized turntable enabling the cage to oscillate or rotation motions, a plurality of UV projectors installed on the outer surface of the tubular shaped cage module, the projectors electronically partitioned in addressable arrays configured to communicate with the camera to perform live object and face detection of human presence via a camera captured image to switch off UV-C beams to avoid the occupants being irradiated in the specific areas, wherein the tubular shaped cage defines an open center allowing high velocity air downdraft passing through specific purpose modules installed on the removable modular cartridge.
8. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the projectors are carried by a hollow core tubular shaped cage in an oscillation or rotation motion projecting a line of low divergence narrow angle beam of Ultraviolet rays striking onto a target in a continuous operating mode or projecting a line of a dotted beam in a pulse mode, the projectors irradiate the target with a plurality of repeated and progressing lines of ultraviolet beams based on the unmanned UAVD flying in ascent and decent motions in conjunction with a vibrator motor and an oscillating or rotating motion of a tubular shaped cage and a motorized rotary shadow reflector enhances light beams bouncing back to disinfecting a rear side of a target.
9. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, wherein the ozone generator comprises;
- a casing configured to house a high velocity blower fan assembly with an adapter bracket for attaching the casing to the drone's body,
- an elongated funnel shaped air delivery tube with its wider end attached to the exhaust side of the blower fan assembly,
- a group of ceramic ozone generator plates installed inside the tube chamber;
- a power supply configured to provide energy to power the ozone generator plates, an oxygen tank configured to supply extra oxygen to boost ozone production,
- a color LED flashlight installed on a nozzle to guide the worker aiming the target to be blasting with ozone,
- a handheld non-liquid sprayer configured to blast ozone at high velocity and long reaching disinfectant to disinfect viruses and to destroy farm pests with extra feed of attaching an oxygen tank to increase its potency and effectiveness,
- a high pressurized air and ozone mix ejected at a nozzle of the tube shooting the ozone packs with high momentum impacting the virus hided in cracks,
- a high pressurized air projecting ozone farther away from the operator reduces excessive ozone exposure.
10. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, further comprising a free standing mobile robot configured for a non-aerial wide area disinfection further comprising;
- a motorized screw drive shaft,
- a motorized floor stand,
- a system power battery,
- an adapter bracket bridging the drone and the screw drive shaft of the free standing mobile robot, and
- an upper end of a shaft urging toward a ceiling through a bumper and the lower end of the shaft attaching to a shaft motor supported by a motorized floor stand for a non-mobile operation.
11. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, comprising a free-standing mobile robot configured for a non-aerial Upper-Room Germicidal UV-C disinfection system further comprising;
- a motorized screw drive shaft,
- a motorized floor stand,
- a system power battery,
- an adapter bracket bridging the drone and the screw drive shaft and a lower end of the shaft attaching to a shaft motor supported by a motorized floor stand of the free standing mobile robot,
- a drone comprising a series of multi-purpose modules within the removable and configurable modular cartridge further comprising a fan assisted ozone generator module and an oscillation or rotation motion motorized hollow core tubular shaped cage module mounted with UV projectors,
- a carriage lock via the screw drive shaft still allowing the drone to swing in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction parallel to the motorized screw drive shaft and allowing the drone to ascent or decent following a turning of threads of the screw drive shaft to better adjust different height of the room being disinfected, with a twist release of a lever to free the drone from the threads enabling the drone to slide along with the shaft at a desired elevation.
12. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, further comprising an ozone decomposing face mask comprising;
- a nose and a mouth covering made from non-woven face fabric,
- an elastic ear-loop secure mouth covering fabric to wearer's ears,
- an ozone decomposing box housing a check valve for exhale,
- an activated carbon filter padding,
- a removable and reusable stick of UV-C LED lighting powered by a rechargeable and reusable battery pack,
- a reusable USB socket configured to attach to a battery pack to receive external power extending operation time of ozone decomposer,
- an ozone rich air mixture enter through a short channel lined with activated carbon padding and a stick lined with a gang of UV-C LED,
- a contaminated air slowed down to pass through the channel being irradiated with UV-C energy causing decomposing ozone to oxygen molecule, a decontaminated air pulled in at the end of channel via activated carbon padding and then exhaled through a check valve, and
- an exhaled gas and fluid irradiated with UV-C LED energy in a check valve compartment prior to exit the face mask.
13. The unmanned UAVD of claim 12, comprising a solid state semiconductor projecting a unidirectional ultraviolet LED light configured to operate between a wavelength of 200 nm to 340 nm, each reusable UV LED die has a optically clear lumen enhancement such as a quartz lens potted on a stick and reusable components such as battery, the USB and the stick are removable and transferable to new decomposing box on face mask.
14. The unmanned UAVD of claim 1, comprising a free-standing mobile robot configured for a non-aerial isolation personal enclosed ozone disinfection in a booth system further comprising;
- a motorized linear actuator drive shaft,
- a motorized floor stand,
- a system power battery,
- an adapter bracket bridging the drone and the upper end of linear actuator drive shaft and the lower end of shaft attaching to a shaft motor supported by motorized floor stand of the free standing mobile robot,
- an enclosed plastic panel booth with swing out door or lightweight pop-up enclosed canopy with zipper or magnetic strip door,
- a rear-end ozone decomposition module having automatic power after a last person exited the system beyond a preset time for safeguarding visiting unmasked curious bystanders.
15. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Drone (UAVD) method, comprising: navigating the UAVD via a navigation module comprising a set of 360 degree obstacle avoidance sensors and positioning unit (GPS) configured to autonomously direct the drone to avoid obstacles while in flight; and
- Projecting zoom and focusable ultraviolet beam via optical lens and reflector onto disease infected target, tightly collimated UV beam concentrates in a low divergence spot striking harmful bacteria and virus causing destruction of their DNA;
- controlling UV beam sweeps clockwise and counter-clockwise in-conjunction with ascent and decent motions of the drone irradiating the infected area on air and on surfaces;
- positioning rotary shadow reflector bouncing back light beam on rear side of target;
- controlling a communications of the UAVD via a controlling and a communications module comprising an electronic central processing unit (CPU), a wireless communication unit, an electronic camera and audio an A/V unit;
- interconnecting the UV projector cage module, the control and communications module and the navigation module via a bus.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising blasting the heavily disease infected area with ozone, using drone's propellers pulling in surrounding air blended with ozone configured to shower the target surfaces.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising a non-aerial roaming on a ground level via a motorized floor stand with screw drive linear actuator carrying the drone sweeping the infected area with UV beams or showering with ozone for speedily disinfect the area,
- in the event of a presence of occupants activate a front-end UV light and titanium oxide coated plates within the removable and configurable modular cartridge of the drone to disinfect the air via photocatalysis reaction, and
- activate the UV beams in the hollow core tubular shaped cage module after Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Drone (UAVD) raises above the heads of room occupants before reaching the ceiling so its beams will clear the occupants via Upper-Room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising a non-aerial stationary disinfection in a booth blasting the mask protected occupant with high velocity turbulent air from the drone's propellers and blasting the occupant with high velocity ozone from any position to dislodge viruses for disinfection.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising blasting agricultural pests such as caterpillars in farms with ozone causing damage to their respiratory organs for eradication.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising removal of the ozone generator module from the drone, the removed ozone generator becomes a handheld ozone blaster operates by a worker for blasting ozone in high velocity to dislodge viruses from surfaces for disinfection and blasting farm pests with high boosted ozone for eradication.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 13, 2020
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2021
Inventor: Simon Siu-Chi Yu (Oakland, CA)
Application Number: 16/993,139